The Marcos government remains dedicated to fulfilling its commitments in the peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as well as the other aspects of the Normalization Program as both sides carried out the resumption of Phase 3 of the Decommissioning Process this week, a Palace official said on Thursday.

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)

Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo said this during the decommissioning in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, on Friday, Aug. 4.

In his speech, Lagdameo said the completion of the third phase signifies the strong partnership of the government and the MILF to pursue a singular mission of transforming the Bangsamoro.

"[It is] reflective of the President's vision to build a Bangsamoro that is self-governing, progressive, and effective," he said.

"The national government maintains its dedicated support and commitment to the other aspects of the Normalization Program such as socioeconomic development, security, transitional justice and reconciliation, and confidence-building measures including amnesty," he added.

According to the Palace official, the decommissioning process is but one of the various components of the Normalization Program. He added that it is a vital step that signals the official transition of former combatants into mainstream society as productive and peaceful citizens.

Lagdameo enumerated material steps taken under the Marcos administration to push the Normalization Program.

Regarding Social Protection, 5,499 decommissioned combatants (DC) have been provided with cash assistance, and around 35,000 birth certificate applications have already been processed.

For Capacity Development, 3,000 decommissioned combatants completed their skills training with TESDA, while 3,658 and their next-of-kin also finished their primary education through the Alternative Learning System.

According to Lagdameo, the ongoing construction of three community irrigation systems in Maguindanao and the near completion of six Rural Health Units with Birthing Facilities are scheduled for turnover this year.

He added that the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation (TJR) measures and initiatives were also undertaken and that there is also an ongoing establishment of Local Amnesty Boards nationwide in anticipation of extending the period for filing amnesty applications.

"As mentioned in the last ICCMN (Inter-Cabinet Cluster Mechanism on Normalization) Meeting, the socioeconomic aspect of the Normalization Program, aimed at providing combatants with a sustainable means of reintegration, will remain a top priority," Lagdameo said, noting that the next ICCMN will reconvene on Aug. 10 to follow through on the commitments of partner agencies.

"Indeed, the task of implementing our deliverables is not an easy feat, but through our continued and unified efforts, we will be able to translate them into actual peace dividends that improve the quality of life of the Bangsamoro People," he added.

Lagdameo expressed gratitude to the government's international partners through the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) and other "shepherds of peace," whose contributions have been instrumental in the meaningful transformation of MILF combatants and building sustainable peace in the Bangsamoro.

He said that the national government hopes that its partners from the MILF stay the course of peace in the spirit of ownership of the peace agreement. He also assured the Muslim leadership that the administration would work doubly hard to complete the task for Phase 4 and the rest of the Normalization Program.

"I urge, especially our partners in local government and other stakeholders, that we continue working together towards lasting unity and build on the confidence and goodwill between us," Lagdameo said.

From 2015 to 2022, a total of 28,844 MILF combatants and 4,625 firearms were decommissioned, 5,499 of which were decommissioned from September to October 2022 under the Marcos Administration.